But a rough exhale escapes his lips instead.
Wordlessly, Elias lifts the dessert and blows out the candle.
My breath hitches. Something sharp and guilty twists in my chest.
This was supposed to be Kian’s flame, not his.
But then, it also feels…right.
He curls my hand around the umbrella handle.
“A blizzard is heading our way,” he rasps. “Don’t stay out too long. You’ll get sick.”
Before I can answer, the Shadow King ducks out from under the umbrella into the wind-whipped snow, letting it coat his hair and clothes while I stand there dry and wrapped in his coat.
A hollow ache flares behind my sternum as I watch his lonely silhouette disappear into the mist.
Chapter 23: INTERLU?E—HOLLOW GARDENS
Kian
Past: Chicago, Twenty Years Ago
I should’ve known dangerwas near.
There were warning signs. But I didn’t recognize them back then.
My happiness had deflated the moment I saw the black luggage stacked like little coffins by the front door. I lifted one.Empty.Relief crashed through me.
“Make sure to pick up the flowers for Mom, son,” Dad muttered as he grabbed his silver lighter and brushed past me to put on his shoes. He’d signed up for an extra shift at the shop so he could make Mom’s birthday tonight special.
“Sure. Will do it on my way back.” I still couldn’t look away from the suitcases.
“Better to be safe than sorry.” Dad eyed the luggage.
“But why? It’s not like we’re important or have money. We don’t need to be so paranoid.”
Dad grunted but didn’t say more.
He never did.
I used to roll with it—new apartments, new schools, new streets.
But now I had someone—someone who made me dream about things besides money for our next meal.
And I didn’t want to leave the city that gave me my Elise.
We stepped out of the building into the biting cold.
I went right to grab my bike. Dad went left.
“The flowers, son. Florist closes at four today,” Dad hollered.
“Got it!” I turned around and gave him a mock salute.
Dad chuckled, his eyes scanning my face. “That special girl of yours…”
I stopped, dread coiling in my gut. Mom disapproved of Elise, saying we were worlds apart and I’d end up heartbroken.
